Examining this year s risks for vector-borne diseases: Officials on alert for heartworm, tick-borne diseases, other Caribbean threats

摘要

National report — Vector-borne diseases have the attention of the nation's parasitologists this year. And they are watching for signs of migration and disease spread. Ticks that used to live along the Gulf Coast are turning up in the central U.S., and their parasites and diseases are along for the ride. Experts aren't sure whether that's the reason more cases of Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever, Lyme disease and other tick-borne diseases are popping up. Perhaps it's the sophisticated tests available todoctors that are enabling more detection, says Michael Paul, DVM, executive director of the Companion Animal Parasite Council.